INNOVATION, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND WAY FORWARD

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1 INNOVATION, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND WAY FORWARD ELIZABETH DE CARVALHAES President & CEO October,

2 Global scenario... Population by billion Cereal demand: + 67% by 2050 GHG emission decrease 50-80% by 2050 New business models Food demand will triple by 2050 Improve resource efficiency Energy demand will double by 2030 Mitigate habitat losses Land deficit by million ha Increased consumers awareness Increase production and yields Traceable value chains that meet sustainability criteria TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

3 Innovation... Innovation is the development of new customer value through solutions that meet new needs, unarticulated needs, or old customer and market needs in new ways. This is accomplished through different or more effective products, processes, services, technologies, or ideas that are readily available to markets, governments and societies Innovation is not a unique event, it is a process! Science must lead the way - Towards more sustainable practices BIOTECHNOLOGY

4 Much has been done, and engaging on the GM Trees discussion is timely... Significant Research 160 million hectares of GM agricultural crops 29 countries; 16,7 million farmers (90% resource-poor farmers) Most adopted technology in agriculture within the past 10 years Over 800 GM Tree field trials

5 Forest biotechnology... Genetic improvement vs. GMOs GENETIC IMPROVEMENT GM TREES Conventional breeding (clones) Methods are slow and valuable traits (resistance to stress) difficult to implement Genes of interests of other species (same gender). Breeding would not happen conventionally Direct and rapid approach and allows for the development of traist that would happen conventionally Current reality Thought reality Being strongly considered and evaluated by forums and organizations such as FAO, WBCSD, FSC, PEFC

6 United States Already a reality... Brazil, Argentina and South Africa Among the biotech mega-countries growing 50,000 hectares, or more, of biotech crops

7 India China Already a reality... Canada Paraguay and Bolivia Australia Among the biotech mega-countries growing 50,000 hectares, or more, of biotech crops

8 Benefits of biotechnology... Little published on GM Trees not on a commercial scale Only 4 commercial approvals ( 2 in the US and 2 in China) Information on GM crops: Environmental Provide better environment by reducing use os pesticides Reduce carbon emissions/ saving on fossil fuels Conserve biodiversity by reducing pressure over native ecosystems Reduce use of water Socioeconomic Contributing to food, feed and fiber security and self-suficiency Value of US$ 78 billion in 10 years Increase production and yields Alleviate poverty by helping small farmers

9 Opposition... Ideology (against monoculture/ intensively managed forests) No current scientific studies proving hindering aspects of GMOs CONTRARY ARGUMENTS 1. More complex systems than agriculture crops; 2. Produce recognized goods and services simultaneously; 3. Confer upon them a diversity of social, cultural and symbolic value; 4. Longer life cycle than crops (longer to have scientific evidence)

10 GM Trees The Forest Dialogue- October, 2012 Challenges to GMOs... The most applied and safest technology developed RISKS are a given Risks of using it vs. risks of not using it Risk assessment and scientifically supported processes Maintain an open dialogue Using science to attain social acceptance and legitimacy Production models that can incorporate small holders

11 11 THANK YOU! 11